The title of the band's newest album is defined as "a substance having no medicinal value but given to satisfy a patient."

For a band that's known for satisfying audiences - Squat has been tapped as one of Athens' best jazz groups - it's an apt description.

Squat formed in the mid-'90s, at a time when guitarist Trey Wright, sax player Tommy Somerville and bassist Carl Lindberg also formed Grogus, a Latin jazz band, and a number of other side projects.

Even with the other bands continuing largely into the present, the incarnation known as Squat has managed to produce three albums thus far in its life span. Wright is more impressed by the band's longevity, however.

"We do notice that many of the bands that were around when we started aren't anymore," he says. "We're proud to have beaten the odds, at least this far."

Wright credits Grogus and other side projects with keeping Squat together.

"Grogus is everyone who has ever been in Squat and then some," he says. "It gives us a break. It's just something different, and that makes it easier to keep approaching Squat with a positive perspective."

Squat has long been known for its reliance on improvisation. Wright feels that the backlash against jam bands is overzealous, but also that Squat is not quite the same as some of the bands that have garnered much of the criticism. Finally, improvisation is fundamental to the band's evolution.

"We have two percussionists, Carlton Owens and Dwayne Holloway. Sometimes one plays and sometimes it's the other. When we tour, we take one out and then the other. It doesn't always work out that neatly and sometimes we end up with both," Wright says. "But we have a different sound with each percussionist."

The band continues to incorporate new players as well.

"A friend of ours, Kevin Hyde, a trombonist, plays on two tracks (of `Placebo'). The band's sound is expanding."

For Squat, the expansion continues.

"We're really proud that this year we got the `Flagpole' award for best jazz group. That meant a lot to us," Wright says. "It's a big sign for us."

Unbeknownst to most fans, the band actually recorded the material for a fourth, live album at the same time that it recorded "Placebo."

"It was too confusing to people and there's always the limiting factor of money, so we didn't (release) it," Wright says. "But we're combining that material with some other shows that we've done and it will come out, I imagine, in late spring."

Wright suggests that Saturday's Georgia Theatre show might be an important one, not only because of Squat, but because of Megaphone Man, a jazz band from that's won acclaim in Atlanta.

"Megaphone Man won the critic's choice award for best jazz band in Atlanta," Wright explains, "and we won for best in Athens. It should be a great night."